Game Summaries & Headlines.
Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Community Christian School
6.0 years ago @ 3:24PM
- Game Date
- Oct 21, 2017
- Score
- : 4
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: 2
KNIGHTS CAPTURE 4-2 WIN AGAINST COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE NCISAA 1A STATE PLAYOFFS; 17-0-1 Overall
HICKORY, NC- The Hickory Christian Academy Knights, coming off an eight day layoff sense the end of their regular season, hosted the Cyclones from Community Christian Academy. The Cyclones made the quarterfinals by way of knocking off Grace Christian School of Sanford and Ridgecroft School of Ahoskie, North Carolina.
The Cyclones struck first at the eleven minute mark off a corner kick and header into net. This perhaps awoke the Knights from their eight day layoff as they would score the next two goals of the quarterfinal contest. Senior Aiden Smith struck first for the Knights as senior Dixon O'hair set up Smith center of goal for the blast at minute thirty. Shortly thereafter, Freshman Wyatt King got in on the action as he took an assist from eight grader Braden Runyon and scored to put the Knights up 2-1 heading into halftime.
After a first half recap and second half strategy session from coach Josh Walker, the Knights performed as instructed and scored the first two goals when action resumed for half number two. At minute 60, junior Gabe Walker received an assist by Dixon O'hair to score and moved the lead to 3-1. Walker was intent on giving the Knights a little more cushion as he scored just four minutes later on an assist by senior Tommy McGrath.
The Cyclones continued to battle and were able to score with less than ten minutes remaining in the contest, moving the score to 4-2 but the Knights remarkable season would continue as they held court the final minutes to make it to the semifinals of the State Playoffs.
The Battle Ball, an HCA tradition awarded to the player with best effort, attitude and leadership was presented to junior right back Jack Zaliagiris. With multiple options to choose from for coach Walker, Zaliagiris was chosen for his all around play. The junior was aggressive on the defensive end throughout the contest and due to his dominate play on the right side, he was a catalyst for the offensive attack heading back the other direction.
The NCIASS 1A playoffs are down to four teams and the Knights will play host to Wayne Country Day on Tuesday October 24 @ 4:00, field one at Henry Fork Park. In the other semifinal bracket, Statesville Christian will travel to Wilson, North Carolina to face Greenfield School. The two winners of the semifinal contests will face off in Wilson, North Carolina on Saturday October 28 @ 1:00.